Shower trays come in a variety of materials — acrylic, stone resin, GRP (fibreglass), ceramic and vitreous enamel over steel — and each requires a different repair approach. Understanding which material your tray is made from is the first step to getting the right repair. This guide explains how to identify your tray material and what repair options are available for each.
Identifying Your Shower Tray Material
Acrylic Shower Trays
Acrylic is the most common shower tray material in UK homes. Signs of an acrylic tray: lightweight, slightly flexible when you press on it, typically bright white or off-white, smooth gloss surface. Acrylic trays chip relatively easily but are also highly repairable — chips and cracks in acrylic are filled with colour-matched acrylic repair materials and polished to a smooth finish.
Stone Resin Shower Trays
Stone resin (sometimes called stone or composite) trays are heavy, rigid and often have a matte or satin surface finish. Brands include Matki, Merlyn, Simpsons, Kaldewei Conoflat, and own-brand products. Stone resin is highly durable but can chip or crack under impact. Repair requires colour-matched stone resin compatible materials — the matte finish is particularly important to match, as the repair will be visible if the sheen level is wrong.
GRP / Fibreglass Shower Trays
GRP (glass reinforced plastic) trays are relatively light but more rigid than acrylic, often with a slight texture to the surface. Common in older installations and bathroom furniture. GRP trays develop gel coat chips and star cracks (particularly around the waste outlet). Repair uses GRP-compatible gelcoat materials with colour and texture matching.
Ceramic and Porcelain Shower Trays
Ceramic shower trays are heavy, rigid and have a glazed surface that feels similar to a ceramic tile. Less common in modern UK bathrooms but still widely encountered. Chips expose the cream or buff body clay beneath the glaze. Ceramic tray repair is similar to tile repair — chip filling with colour-matched glazing material.
Enamel Over Steel Shower Trays
Steel shower trays with a vitreous enamel coating are found in higher-end bathrooms and older installations — brands include Kaldewei, Bette and Roca. These are very heavy and have the hardness and sound of a steel product. Chips expose the steel beneath, leading to rapid rust in a wet environment. Early repair is essential to prevent rust spreading.
Which Tray Type Is Easiest to Repair?
Acrylic and GRP trays are the most forgiving to repair and typically achieve the best results. Stone resin repair requires careful sheen matching but is very achievable with the right materials. Ceramic and enamel repair are straightforward for chips but require precise colour matching. All tray types can be repaired professionally — the key variable is whether the colour match achieves a near-invisible result or simply significantly improves the damaged area.
Get a Shower Tray Repair Quote
Tell us the tray material if known, send photos of the damage, and we’ll advise what’s achievable and provide a free quote.
